At the Christmas party held at the residence of the Death King Isis Remnant, guests from all walks of life gathered to enjoy the party in their own way.
It hadn't been long since Isis was able to completely control her magic power of death, so there weren't many people around …… but there were more people visiting her castle than ever before.
While Isis was smiling at that bustling scene, her family and best friend, Lillywood, approached her.
"……Isis, thank you for inviting me to this wonderful party today."
[……Unnn…… but…… today's party…… is planned by everyone of the Pleiades…… I didn't do anything.]
After exchanging a brief greeting, Lillywood sat down next to Isis and just like her, she looked at the venue.
Kuromueina chatting, Megiddo having a drinking contest with God of Disasters, Magnawell floating outside the castle, leisurely chatting with the guests who came to greet him, and Alice being scolded by Iris for taking too much food compared to the others…… All of them were familiar faces for Isis and Lillywood.
But today, in addition to them, there are the three rulers of the Human Realm, Lilia Albert and the people of her mansion, Kaito's otherworlder kouhais, God Realm's Supreme Gods and God of Creation, and even a certain God from another world and people who Isis haven't conversed that much until now have also been invited to participate.
Of course, it goes without saying that the presence of the World's Singularity…… Miyama Kaito, who is currently talking with some of the Pleiades, is a major factor in this scene. However, just his presence alone didn't create this scene.
Slowly but surely…… The current scene was there because Isis was being accepted by many people.
"……This is the scene of a dream you once had…… right?"
[……No…… This isn't it.]
"Oya?"
[……I wouldn't say it was a dream come true…… This scene in front of me now…… It's not just an illusion that will disappear someday…… That's why I, from now on…… I have to protect this…… "my precious present"…… My dream…… is still in the process…… of turning into my reality, you know?]
Seeing Isis saying such a thing with a kind smile on her face, Lillywood naturally smiled as well.
"……You've become stronger. I'm not sure if your heart had become composed, or was it because of your presence, but you're looking more like a King now, aren't you?"
[……You think so? ……If that's the case…… I think…… I've "become more of a King"…… I have my beloved Kaito…… I have everyone who's important to me…… and I want to protect their smiles…… so I want to…… become stronger.]
"In the past, you haven't thought of such huh. But now that you can see it…… It won't be long before your dream turns into reality."
[……Thank you.]
Unlike the time when she was chasing after what she once wanted, Isis has grown a lot after she acquired what wants to protect.
They were also the reason why, in less than a hundred years, she had achieved complete control over her magic power over death. A feat that Kuromueina estimated that she would take at least a few more thousand years……
[……Dream?]
"Oya?"
[Ahh, I'm sorry for suddenly intruding your conversation. I just heard Isis-sama's dream being mentioned, so I couldn't help myself……]
"No, I don't really mind."
When Lillywood spoke about "her dream"…… Polaris, who was relatively close to two of them, responded.
And as if drawn towards them, the gazes of the other members of the Pleiades were also directed to where Isis and Lillywood sat. After smiling lightly at them, Isis calmly spoke.
[……Back then…… When this castle is being made…… That one day, this castle…… would be warm and bustling…… brimming with a lot of smiles…… I thought that…… it would be great if this castle becomes such a place.]
Hearing Isis' words, the members of Pleiades' eyes moistened. The girls had been under Isis' command for some time now. They knew that Isis had lived a long and lonely life.
[……It's a dream that I almost gave up on once…… but thanks to everyone…… it's slowly coming true…… and that…… makes me really happy…… Everyone…… For becoming my subordinates…… No…… for becoming my family…… Thank you.]
[ ~ ~ ! ? Let's make it happen!!!]
[……Eh?]
[Your dream will come true! No, we'll make it come true!]
Overcome with emotion at Isis calling her family, Eulpecula vigorously declared with moist eyes. That the dream Isis had…… That all the wishes Isis had will come true.
And it wasn't just her who had such a thought in mind.
[Yes, leave it to us. We'll definitely make Isis-sama's dream come true! With us by your side, please consider yourself riding on a tough, rock ship!]
[……That ship looked like it would more likely sink than a mud boat. Putting aside the idiotic comments of the musclehead woman, it's nice to know that we have a goal for the future. As with research, having a clear goal increases efficiency after all.]
In addition to Eulpecula, Sirius and Rasal also smiled at Isis to reassure her.
[That's right~~ It would be great if everyone smiles. It's a very wonderful dream, and I want to make it come true.]
[What, it's not like that's a difficult dream. Isis-sama is a kind person, and the public's opinion of you is just highly prejudiced. Once they get to know Isis-sama, they'll naturally be able to clear up any silly misunderstandings they have. Don't you think so too, Head-dono?]
[Umu, I guess what we'll be doing now has been decided huh…… Let's make this castle a warm place brimming with smiles. Fufu, that isn't a bad dream.]
Spica, Polaris and Iris also announced with motivated expressions on their faces, and the members of the Pleiades began discussing their new goals.
[If it's just making the castle bustling, why don't I just unleash my troops on the castle?]
[Who the heck said anything about how zombies' moans would make it lively, you f*cking monkey? Her aside, I think it's more about that. The problem is that there are too few people visiting the Land of Death in the first place. That's why there are so many fools who don't understand Isis-sama's kindness.]
[I see, rather than increase the number of subordinates, focus more on increasing the number of visitors to the Land of Death. That's a good idea.]
Hearing the words Eulpecula said after throwing a tsukkomi at Rasal, Iris looked like she was considering it.
[If that's the case, how about creating a tourist attraction? There are a certain number of people who are prejudiced against not only Isis-sama, but also against the Land of Death itself, so I guess that wouldn't be a bad way to improve things?]
[In that case~~ What do you think about the flower garden I made? It's full of beautiful Blue Crystal Flowers, and I'd be happy if more people came to love Blue Crystal Flowers.]
[But the terrain in that area near your flower garden is a bit bad…… I guess let's level down the rocky mountains and icebergs to make flat land huh.]
Polaris, Spica, and Sirius joined in the conversation, and the focus shifted to building a tourist attraction in the Land of Death.
[In that case, let's build a city! The Land of Death is quite large, and there are several mines that are no longer being mined, so let's make use of those places……]
[If that's the case, we'll have to take some precautions to protect them from the cold. Not all visitors are powerful people. If that is the case, the coldness of the Land of Death will be unbearable for them…… Polaris, can you keep the cold out with a permanent barrier?]
[If I want it to be completely independent, without me having to maintain it, I can't say I couldn't block the cold out, but I would need a lot of magic crystals. However, if it's mitigating the cold though, that would be easy.]
From the inside of the castle to the outside of the castle, from a tourist attraction to a city…… the story…… the dream grew bigger and brighter.
[If it's going to be a city, don't we need to maintain the roads? Well, I guess we can leave that to Sirius, who's got plenty of power.]
[I'm not sure if I can pave it in a neat way though? Use that uselessly sly mind of yours and help me with this, Rasal.]
[Hmmm, it would be nice if the city also had a gate, but it would be a little difficult for just us to do it. It would be great if we could get the help of someone good at Space-Time Magic, like Ten Demons Gluttony.]
Looking at the Pleiades seriously talking about this matter, Isis looked a little surprised…… but a few moments later, she smiled.
Next to such an Isis, a similarly smiling Kaito sat down.
[……It seems that in the blink of an eye, it went from being "Isis-san's dream" to being "everyone's dream". How should I say this…… You have a great family.]
[……Unnn…… Kindly and warmly…… As if it was obvious…… They'll follow the same dream together with me…… They're my important…… family that I'm proud of.]
Yes, none of the Pleiades, upon hearing Isis' dream, said anything like "I hope it comes true".
It will come true, we will make it come true…… Looking at the same dream as Isis, they set out to make it come true. For the girls, Isis' wish was their own wish, and Isis was happy to see such strong loyalty and deep bond between them.
As Isis looked at the girls with that thought in mind, Kaito gently grasped her hand and smiled at her.
[Of course, I'll also be here to help you.]
[……Unnn! ……I'm glad.]
Isis looked like she was about to cry, but the smile on her face shows how happy she is from the bottom of her heart. Next to her, the being who started everything, the person she loves more than anyone else…… She strongly thought about the happiness of having met Kaito.
At the same time, a firm determination sprouted within her heart…… that she'll make sure that her future together with Kaito and her family, Pleiades, would be a happy one.
The big moon that can be seen from the castle windows and the stars shining right beside it…… gently illuminated the girls, as if they were blessing their future.
<Afterword>
This was the moment of the birth of the future Crystal City.
The Pleiades are all good friends (that do beat up each other), and they love Isis. Isis' happiness is their everything.
Also, here's an extra that didn't make it in Part 1.
The Mysterious Swordsman (Ideal)
A skilled swordsman who exists only in Sirius' mind. They're an Insectoid Demon who uses "Transcendental Soaring Serpent Style", a shape-shifting sword technique that is probably based on a dragon.
(T/N: Chouzetsu Hishou Ja-ryu)
In the past, they were challenged by Sirius, who defeated her with overwhelming power and left coolly, only leaving her with the words "Get stronger……"
They seemed to be a Beetle-type Insectoid Demon, and although their gender was unknown because the characteristics of insects don't apply to Insectoid Demons, their brave horns that seemed to pierce the sky and their black diamond-like shell left a strong impression on her. The two excellent swords she wields were also something Sirius had never seen before in her life.
For Sirius, they're the goal that she wants to get revenge on, but at the same time, they're someone she yearns for. She has vowed that she will not call herself the Strongest Swordsman in the Demon Realm until she defeats the Mysterious Swordsman.
They're supposed to be overwhelmingly powerful, but for some reason, there is no information about them and no record of anyone other than Sirius ever meeting them.
The Mysterious Swordsman (Reality)
As a result of being able to forge two masterpiece swords, Alice has temporarily relapsed to a disease that she once afflicted with (Chuunibyou).
While wearing a beetle stuffed costume, as she was playing around, saying things like "Transcendental Beauty-style", Sirius happened to witness her and challenged her to a fight, so she quickly defeated her and left the scene with a cool line.
(T/N: Chouzetsu Bishoujou-ryu)
She does know that Sirius was training hard with her goal being the Mysterious Swordsman (lol)…… but for some reason, the Mysterious Swordsman within Sirius' mind had become so beautiful that she couldn't bring herself to say anything and she just eventually gave up.
The two masterpiece swords she was using at the time were given to Kaito as the memorabilias for the Six Kings Festival, secretly throwing the situation to him.
[……If it's Kaito-san…… But if it's Kaito-san…… In his hands, they would probably turn into a great flag……]
Since Kaito forgot about the existence of the swords when he threw them into his magic box, she still wasn't discovered…… but if it got discovered, she would definitely be scolded a lot.